Louisville makes Elliott's short list

Mike Hughes

08/09/2010

Since James Elliott visited Louisville in the spring, the 6'3, 290-pound two-star offensive line prospect from Pensacola (FL) Catholic's recruitment has exploded. Heading into his final high school season, Elliott now has unlimited college options. Three programs have emerged as favorites on Elliott's list and Louisville is well positioned for a commitment.

Since James Elliott visited Louisville in the spring, the 6'3, 290-pound two-star offensive line prospect from Pensacola (FL) Catholic's recruitment has exploded. Heading into his final high school season, Elliott now has unlimited college options, with 18 scholarship offers on the table.

Of his three most recent offers, Elliott is especially interested in the Wolverines.

"I'm going up to Michigan August 13 for an unofficial visit to see the campus and once the season starts I'm going up there for an official visit," said Elliott. "One of the main things I like about Michigan is that their offensive line is always a highlight of their team and the fans up their put the offensive line on a pedestal. That's pretty rare to find in a college."

Elliott attended Louisville's spring game in April and told InsideTheVille.com following that visit the the Cardinals topped his list. Where do the Cardinals stand now?

"Louisville is still very high for me," Elliott said. "My top three right now would be Michigan, Louisville and South Florida. Louisville is still very high on my list. I talk to Coach [Ron] Duggans probably once a week. I email him a lot and get on facebook and talk to him a lot through that."

Elliott's previous visit to Louisville might give the Cardinals an edge heading into the season.

"It very much gives them [an edge]," Elliott said. "Louisville was my first real experience with a college football atmosphere. That definitely helps them out a lot."

Elliott made his visit to Louisville last spring with teammate Demarious Rancifer, a linebacker prospect who also holds an offer from Strong's program.

"We've been talking about Louisville a lot," Elliott said. "It's nine hours from here so it would be good because I'd have somebody to room with that I actually know. We'll probably take official [visits] together to South Florida and Louisville."

Elliott also hopes to make an official visit to South Florida this fall to get a closer look at the Bulls program under the direction of first-year coach Skip Holtz.

"I haven't had much contact with them," Elliott said. "I called their coach last week and talked to him about how I'm still interested in them and that I want to get up there for an official visit."

Though he doesn't have any official visits lined up yet, that's obviously the next step in Elliott's recruiting process.

"I don't have anything set up," said Elliott. "I have the okay from all three of those schools. I'll probably take the official visit to Louisville after one of my games this season. And Michigan I'll probably have to take on my bye-week because it take a long time to get up there. South Florida said I just have to let them know when I want to visit."

"I've just got to get up to a game and see the atmosphere and see if I could see myself living there for four years," Elliott said.